topic Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 03:42:06 GMT

So I've used external intervalometers for years with my T series and 70D bodies but having an issue with the R5. The external intervalometer works the same as previous ones but just with a different end. I can set up a run fine, like 4 second shots with a 5 second interval and the external intervalometer seems happy with everything and goes about it's program when I click Start.

The problem is the first exposure opens the shutter but after the 4 seconds isn't ending the exposure and closing the shutter. The intervalometer goes along it's program unaware the camera never ended that first shot.

Best I'm finding on forums and such in searches is that MAYBE I have a bad (brand new) intervalometer. Suppose that could be it but wanted to ask if anyone else has run into this behavior before. TIA!

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

Tronhard — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:10:31 GMT

Is there a particular reason you did not use the built-in Interval Timer feature of the R5, as shown on P244 of the manual?

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 14:17:23 GMT

I should have included that in my original post. I know the R5 has a (bad) built in intervalometer. Pretty embarrassing that the camera can shoot 12 or 20 fps but needs 3-4 seconds between interval shots or it gets confused. A 3-4 second gap is pretty bad for star trails and shouldn't be necessary so that's why I bought an external one that says it is compatible with the R5 specifically.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:04:56 GMT

Your camera is set to Bulb?

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:18:19 GMT

Yeah and all NR and nanny stuff set to Off as well. One Shot AF and Single, no burst shooting.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:20:22 GMT

And manual focus?

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:41:31 GMT

Yes, prefocus to infinity in AF then switch to MF.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:45:29 GMT

That’s exactly how I do it with my 1D X III (except 12 secs vs 4) and 1 sec between. May be a problem with intervalometer.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:49:38 GMT

I guess so. Mainly was wondering if anyone specifically had used any of these third party external intervalometers with a Canon R5 successfully before I bought a replacement.

This is the one I bought btw: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XBXWL97/

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:57:59 GMT

See this image

this timer has a unique timing. If you want a four second exposure and a 1 second gap you set the interval at 5 seconds. See if that resolves your issue.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 18:04:31 GMT

Yep, that's how most intervalometers work. And the 4 seconds was just an indoor lighted test. It doesn't matter what I chose - last night was 30 second shots and normally with a wired external intervalometer you set a 31 second interval and it works like you said. I tried 4 second shots with a 5 second interval, 30 second shots with a 31 second... nothing stopped the first exposure.

So I resorted to using the built in one and doing 30 second shots with a 34 second interval but that's not really ideal. Unfortunately if you don't give the R5 a longer gap after the shot it won't time everything right apparently so 30 second shots with 31 second intervals on the built in doesn't work. Which the same has been reported all over online - no idea why the camera can't take that next shot reliably a second later.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 18:54:23 GMT

Well, I've went ahead and purchased another and a different brand. Once it arrives I'll update this post if it was just a faulty intervalometer and nothing more.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:08:53 GMT

Just wanted to update this post that the first intervalometer must have either been faulty or isn't compatible with the R5 like it says it is on Amazon.

However, this intervalometer worked exactly as it should for me:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR86TMN/

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

Fanchphoto — Thu, 19 May 2022 16:31:30 GMT

The R5 intervalometer can shoot at 1 sec intervals. Be sure you are using the most current firmware.

Re: Canon R5 and external intervalometer issue

spurscar — Thu, 19 May 2022 17:29:30 GMT

Yeah, it seems like they have apparently fixed it. Was an issue when I first got the R5 and I'd read a ton of posts saying the same thing but I just ran a test with 10 second manual exposures with an 11 second interval and it didn't get off-count at all. Nice to see that's a viable option now!